PSYC 314 Lecture Notes - Sympathetic Nervous System, Psychological Stress, Asthma
Document Summary
Physical stress: ex. being threatened by a predator, physical assault. Physical stress is more common in animals than in humans. Physical stress activates biological processes (when you are being threatened you sweat, heart beat quickens, etc. ) Response, but now use it for psychological stressors. Cannon: fight or flight response activates the sympathetic nervous system leads to the release of norepinephrine, serotonin, etc. quick response is adaptive. But prolonged response disrupts emotional and physiological functioning. If this response lasts for a long period of time, it can be detrimental (in animals they fight, or they run and escape and the stress only lasts for a few minutes) Seyle: general adaptation syndrome: stressors all evoke a similar response in the body; there is a release of cortisol in response to all stressors. Resistance: keeps up for a period of time. Exhaustion: body unable to cope with the threat for any longer.
